This assessment is based on the findings of the Republican data-analysis firm, 0ptimus, which asked voters who they would support if Maness dropped out. Cassidy's support would rise from about 35 percent to as much as 49 percent, with 17.5 percent left undecided.

0ptimus co-founder Brian Stobie indicated that former Maness' supporters would probably turn to Cassidy. "Without Maness, this race is nearly over," 0ptimus reported, according to The Caller.

Landrieu is ahead of Cassidy in the RealClearPolitics polling average 38 percent to 35.3 percent, with Maness holding at 8 percent. 0ptimus polling has Cassidy at 35.9 and Landrieu at 37.8 percent, with Maness at 17.7 percent and 8.6 percent undecided.

Stobie says that Maness has no chance of winning and that his remaining in the race "is going to take away a Republican win in November."

Republicans, he added, "could put this away in November instead of risking a high-stakes single-state showdown," the Caller reported.

Both national parties and their associated political actions committees are gearing up for the possibility of a Dec. 6 election runoff if no candidate captures 50 percent on Election Day.

Maness has insisted that he will remain in the race in order to provide "voters of Louisiana a choice."

A vote for him or for Cassidy "is not a vote for Senator Landrieu," he told The Times-Picayune.